The domestic violence shelter got a new Toyota Sienna. In a news release, Shereese Floyd-Thompson said Samaritan House posted a plea on Facebook to ask friends, family and fans to vote for them out of five nonprofit organizations competing for the prize.

Samaritan House was one of 250 finalists chosen nationwide to compete in this third annual Facebook-enabled philanthropic initiative by Toyota. Samaritan House was the only nonprofit in the region to win.

Priority Toyota & Samaritan House representatives

Priority Toyota’s owner Dennis Ellmer and general manager, Nick Mumejian, presented the new car to the Samaritan House executive staff and board on Wednesday.

“Samaritan House will use the van to transport families to physician appointments, job and landlord interviews, court, support groups, school and summer activities and more, for six days a week, 16 hours a day— moving families toward self-sufficiency,” said Floyd-Thompson.